State lawmaker proposes plan to help pay for school resource officers

The shooting at an elementary school in Newtown has prompted Connecticut lawmakers to look at possible ways of improving safety at all public schools in the state.

And now, state Rep. Michael Molgano, R-Stamford, is proposing a bill that would help pay for school resource officers with a 80 percent matching grant.

"I just want to put this out there because I think it's very important," he said, "there is so much emphasis on security, but I don't think what we have today is sufficient."

Molgano told Eyewitness News that the grant would apply to schools that have and want school resource officers. However, it would not make them mandatory.

At East Hartford Middle School, school resource officer Joe Murray greets about 1,100 students each day. He is one of two resource officers at the building.

"They are part of what we do, part of our Falcon family," said East Hartford Middle School Principal Anthony Menard.

The Gun Violence and Children's Safety Task Force was established to review current laws and make proposals on a range of potential legislation to prevent gun violence, improve school security and ensure mental health services in the state.

The bi-partisan commission and task force were formed after Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother at their home, then went to Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 children and adults on Dec. 14.

Its first public hearing, which will focus on school safety, will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. inside room 2C at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Items such as bulletproof glass and magnetized door locks will be discussed by lawmakers.